In this episode of Company Secrets: The Nutcracker Paradox, host Jared Redick speaks with Stanton Welch, Artistic Director of Houston Ballet, about his 2016 production of The Nutcracker and the unique role the ballet plays in American culture. Welch reflects on how differently The Nutcracker functions in the United States compared to other parts of the world, describing it as ballet’s version of a shared, multi-generational cultural event—an increasingly rare experience in the age of streaming and fragmented media.

The conversation dives into the cultural complexities surrounding traditional divertissements, including Chinese Tea and Arabian Coffee, and how Welch approached these sections through a purely classical ballet vocabulary rather than literal or stereotypical references. By grounding each divertissement in the technique and structure of classical training, Welch aimed to honor the music while avoiding problematic physical motifs, framing the work as a fantastical, imagined world rather than a literal depiction of culture.

Welch also discusses the financial and institutional importance of The Nutcracker, candidly acknowledging that its disappearance would be devastating for American ballet companies. He reflects on how the ballet serves as both a stabilizing force and an opportunity for emerging dancers, offering a glimpse into future generations of artists. The episode concludes with reflections on the evolving nature of choreography, the balance between revising and preserving work over time, and the surreal, often humorous reality of creating ballet’s most iconic holiday tradition.

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